Mars, the red planet, has been a source of much science fiction, and it’s only a matter of time until a person actually makes it there. Still, until that happens, people can amuse themselves with games that offer ideas of what exploring the planet may be like.

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Images of Mars show it to be a vast surface of sand and rock with evidence of water as well. As a result, there are many ideas revolving around the idea of turning Mars into a hospitable planet. There’s also a lot of mystery surrounding it and the types of stories that it could hold.

8Surviving Mars

Not only is getting to Mars a challenge but establishing a working colony is an even bigger one. Surviving Mars has you in the role of the first humans to arrive on the planet and set up a place for people to live.

This means you’ll be building a lot of domes for housing and facilities to generate the power needed to sustainthis artificial settlement. The more you build, the more you’ll have to find in order to keep things functional and make Mars somewhere possible to live instead of just surviving.

Several habitable domes on the surface of the planet in Surviving Mars

7Terraforming Mars

Though it has yet to be actually performed, the process of terraforming has appeared throughout sci-fi media. Many stories about Mars involve terraforming it in a way that allows nature to thrive and humans to live comfortably. It’s definitely not an easy process, requiring lots of time, resources, and of course, planning.

You’ll have a view of the Mars surface from space and a hexagonalgrid systemto operate. Choose which spots will be terraformed in which ways in hopes of making a self-sustaining ecosystem that can support human life.

Screenshot from Terraforming Mars showing the grid system on the planet

6Red Faction Guerilla

TheRed Factiongames haven’t had the best reception, but most would say that Red Faction Guerilla has the most potential for fun. Humans have managed to establish themselves on Mars, but a conflict began to arise between the colonists and the Earth Defense Force.

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As a resistance fighter, you’ll be leading the colonists to fight for their freedom. However, the game has a GTA approach in that you’re free to drive around causing chaos and getting into trouble. You also have a lot of destructible scenery to enjoy and wreck in spectacular fashion.

5Waking Mars

According to Waking Mars, there is life on the planet. In the near future, you’re sent to the planet only to become trapped beneath the surface. With little to go on, you need to learn how to survive in awhole new environmentthat is host to lifeforms that you never would’ve expected.

There is beauty to be found in this nature, but also plenty of danger. Navigate the caverns and surface as well as you’re able to to learn all about it. Based on your journey, it will be up to you to decide what to do with all the information you’ve gathered.

The main character in Red Faction Guerilla walks away from an exploding building

4Mars Horizon

How to get to Mars is something that NASA is undoubtedly working on every day, and maybe you have your own ideas about it. That’s what Mars Horizon is all about, with getting to the planet being the whole focus of the game. The planet actually feels within your reach, and you’ll be given full access to everything you need in order to make a successful Mars mission happen.

This means lots of tests, practice, training, and building as youlaunch numerous rocketsinto space to see what works and what doesn’t. Hopefully, you’ll find just the right strategy needed to finally make it to Mars.

The main character crawls through the underground in Waking Mars

3Doom

The phrase “Hell on earth” gains a whole new meaning thanks to theDoomseries. These games are set in a future where humanity has managed to establish settlements on Mars. Unfortunately, I don’t think anyone expected them to find a portal to Hell on its surface.

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As a soldier who is lucky and tough enough to survive demons pouring out across the planet, you’re tasked with kicking them right back into it and shooting whatever weapons you have at them. Enemies are many, fast, and vicious, and you’ll need to be even more so in order to be victorious.

2Mars: War Logs

There’s a lot of focus on the idea of making Mars a safe place, but other games would argue that it’s not. Mars: War Logs presents a hostile version of the red planet witha cyberpunk themeset in the far future. Even though humans have managed to settle on Mars, water has become scarce with many threatening each other just for a few drops of it.

As the rogue Roy, you’ll be surviving on your own as you become involved in the conflicts that could determine the future of the planet. Fight, use skills, and make important decisions to shape your story and decide the kind of Martian you want to be.

A rocket launches in Mars Horizon

1Rover Mechanic Simulator

While humans have yet to set foot on Mars, it hasn’t stopped them from sending probes and robots to investigate it for them. These little robots are celebrities of sorts, especially due to their cute designs. Their job is to crawl over the planet’s surface examining everything that they can and scanning whatever they’re able to pick up.

During their excursions, mechanical issues are bound to arise and someone needs to deal with them. That someone is you inRover Mechanic Simulatorwhich revolves around fixing, customizing, and building the rovers that will brave red planet and depend on you for support.

Doom Guy aiming his shotgun at demons in Doom Eternal

The main character looks out at the city in Mars War Logs

Close up of a Mars Rover in the game Rover Mechanic Simulator